If you've never experienced an authentic Oktoberfest, you don't know what you're missing. I am not German even .001%, so this coming from a Scandinavian should be proof to the fact that the Germans know how to throw down when it comes to a fun time.

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The reason my family makes the 2 and a half hour drive South East from Minneapolis is that my mom grew up there and we are extremely fortunate to have amazing family friends that live in a neighboring city and they allow us to stay with them. Trying to get a hotel in La Crosse during Oktoberfest is damn near impossible unless you book it like a year out.

La Crosse has the highest % population in the country for German descendants. So although it's not the biggest, (Cincinnati's is at 500K people) it feels a lot like you're in Germany and 150K people ain't bad.

We typically start the Friday night at a bar called the Alpine Inn. It is situated about 90% to the top of Granddads Bluff.

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Can you make out my Steemit shirt?!
A gorgeous view of La Crosse and neighboring cities await you if you make it all the way to the top. You can even see La Crescent, in MN. The memories and nostalgia rush over me when we get there. I have have been probably 28 times out of my 30 years. This last weekends was another enjoyable time as one of our favorite couples got to come along for the first time.

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I'm gonna let you relive the parade we saw. I missed a few floats here and there, but there were some reallllyyyy good ones this year. Along with many HS bands, beauty pageant winners, rock & rolls bands on semis, some spooky halloween ones, and my personal favorite, the gigantic shopping cart! Enjoy!

My brothers son ( @roundoar03 ) getting the royal treatment from the band. He was pretty stoked!

The BEST!

SAVE SECOND BASE!!!

Had to have the headphones for the baby girl. It gets super loud!! Who said you can't have fun with a baby?!

Well if you've made it this far, congratulations. You've pretty much seen this years La Crosse, WI Oktoberfest parade. Per tradition, we head right after to a local bar right down from our spot, called Sloopys.

It was pretty low key for us there this year. We went and grabbed a bite to eat and then back for a nap at the house because we are old and can't party like we used to.

Made up for it at night though with a trip to the fest grounds. Live music under the tent, a Surly Brewing Co beer station, and eventually an old lady street vendor after the bars.

We didn't make it the fair grounds with all the kids rides and kids activities, but it is a great place to bring the kids when they are a little bit older. I know I always loved it.

That about covers the trip!

Have you ever been to an Oktoberfest? Where was it and what did you think? Let me know!